How to Choose Spring Sandals for the Office

Office attire is generally becoming more relaxed in all kinds of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies. With the shift from an all-suit environment to a more laid-back atmosphere of casual dress, the option for wearing sandals during spring and summer is becoming more common among business professionals.

Instructions

1. Consider the workplace policy for shoes. If sandals are allowed, but skirts or dresses and hose are required, your best choice is to wear a mid-heel height dressy sandal. The low heel or flat sandal looks out of place with hosiery.

2. Choose sandals that coordinate with your spring outfit. Neutral tones, black or white are good choices to blend with any attire. Sandals for office wear should not draw attention to the feet and legs.

3. Keep the sandals dressy with a low to medium heel for walking comfort. Jobs that require a lot of standing or walking will require you to wear well-padded comfortable shoes.

4. Get a good fit for sandals to wear at the office this spring. Choose a shoe that fits snugly enough that it doesn't flop against your foot with every step. Slingbacks with a narrow heel strap are a good choice.

5. Match your wide-legged capris or cropped pants with a pair of wide strap sandals with 3-inch heels for casual office attire. The straps will hold the sandal securely in place, and the height of the heel will balance out the length of the pants.

6. Complete the casual office outfit for spring with a pair of sandals with skinny 2 or 3-inch cork heels. When worn with natural fabrics such as cotton (or denim, if allowed), cork-soled sandals are dressy enough for the casual office.

7. Choose a sandal with a lightly cushioned footbed for all-day wear such as an espadrille wedge design.

8. Wear sandals to the office that are cut to fit the shape of your foot. Your toes should not touch the end of the shoe when you're standing. Likewise, your heels should not protrude over the heel of the shoe.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid flip-flops in the office unless the atmosphere is totally relaxed.

• Take care of your feet. Get a pedicure and keep your feet moisturized. Cracked heels and scrubby toenail polish are not appropriate for the office.

• Wear multi-colored or printed sandals only if a color from the sandals is present in the outfit. Print or multi-colored sandals can appear too busy when worn with an outfit not in a solid color.

• Read your office policy manual carefully regarding the dress code for sandals.